News Broadcasting
B4U claims tidy profit for FIFA World Cup deferred telecast on DD
As the Fifa World Cup heads for its grand finale tomorrow between perennial favourites Brazil and a determined Germany, some tallies are already being made. B4U Networks, which bought the terrestrial telecast rights from holder Taj Sports, says it managed a good profit from the event.
Speaking about the deferred telecast on national broadcaster Doordarshan, Says B4U’s chief distribution officer Debashish Dey: The tournament was not only a great brand building exercise for us, but we broke even and even managed a tidy profit out of it.”
Responding to doubts as to the how much brand benefit was garnered from it considering that B4U’s name only appeared in the credits, Dey said the telecast on DD1 with repeats on the 36 regional kendras (centres) was benefit enough.
Dey said 70 per cent of the inventories had been sold and this was because the 11 pm timing was ideal if one considered that soccer viewing essentially had a male audience. Dey’s contention was that it was only from 11 pm onwards that the TV remote was in the male hands. His point being that earlier than that it was the woman of the house that decided what was to be watched.
Ten (Taj Entertainment Network) Sports, which held the rights for India, had sold the terrestrial telecast rights to LMB Holdings (promoter of B4U Networks). B4U then thrashed out an an agreement with DD that cleared the way for the deferred telecast on DD of four matches and a daily highlights capsule.
As per the terms of the deal between Taj and LMB, the terrestrial rights allowed for transmission of four full games – the opening game, two semifinals and the finals on a six-hour delayed telecast. They also included a daily hourly highlights package, also on a six-hour delayed basis.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
